Photos by iStockPhoto.com

When it comes to our homes, we all like to dream. We stand in our kitchens and think about how much more functional and beautiful the spaces could be. We imagine what our family rooms would look like with a new paint color and perhaps some new furniture. We ponder how to make our bedrooms and bathrooms feel more like a sanctuary.

The designers profiled on the following pages are ready to make your dreams come true. They’ve devoted their careers to creating spaces we can’t wait to come home to. Each has a unique history, design philosophy and approach. Read on to discover what drives them—and what they can do for you. Trust us. It takes work to look this good. 

Rick Cowan, CKD

Tiare Noelani Cowan, CKD, Allied ASID

ARCHIPELAGO HAWAII, refined island designs

1 location on Oahu,
2 locations on the Big Island,
1 location on Maui
Gentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 121A
536-7739
archipelagohawaii.com
info@archipelagohawaii.com
SB Island Interiors LLC

Photo: David Croxford

Brother-and-sister design team Rick and Tiare have both been artistically inclined since they were children. “It’s great to make a living being creative,” Tiare says. Add Rick’s many years in construction, cabinet installation and high-end finish carpentry to the equation and you have quite the duo.

My specialty:
TNC and RC: Space planning.

My favorite design feature:
TNC: Paint Color. It’s the simplest design detail that can make a huge impact on a space.

My favorite part of working with clients:
TNC: Getting to know how they live and who they are, then creating a beautiful environment that functions for their lifestyle.

MY most memorable project:
TNC: Our Designer Challenge (TV show) project. We won the competition. The project was supposed to be a kitchen/great room, but due to permitting issues we ended up designing the entire home. The clients were great, the contractor was awesome and the house is incredible. We learned so much and had a great time doing it.

My most challenging project:
RC: Owning and operating a business in Hawaii.

My design aesthetic:
TNC: Contemporary Hawaiian. Clean lines, tropical finishes and color.

Three things on my design wish list:
TNC: Design and build my own home, design and build a spec home and design another hotel. RC: Design a luxury yacht interior, a restaurant and a hotel lobby.
my dream client:
RC: Bugs Bunny because given his personality—eccentric, mischievous, humorous and a wise guy—every design meeting would be a total kick.

What inspires ME:
RC: Homes with great details that are underrepresented by the existing design. I can envision it to be much greater with the right design. TNC: Nature.

Masanori “Mark” Shigei,

AIA International Associate

SNAIDERO

Gentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 120
599-4554
snaidero-usa.com
snaidero@hawaii.rr.com

Photo: David Croxford

It’s rare to have an architect design your kitchen, but that’s exactly what makes Mark Shigei special. For 25 years, this designer has been creating spaces that utilize his background in architecture. In the 14 years since Shigei moved to Hawaii from Japan, he has shifted to kitchen design, specializing in the unique design concepts of Snaidero, a top Italian kitchen brand.

Photo: Courtesy of Snaidero

My design specialty:
Integrating the latest, most up-to-date design trends into my clients’ everyday lives. The designs seem very simple, but there are many hidden details.

My favorite design feature:
I have many, but one of them is lighting. My preference for lighting elements has shifted from halogen lighting to fluorescent and LED lighting. 

My favorite part of working with clients:
Each project comes with its own set of challenges to remedy and every client has a wish list. My favorite part about what I do is finding the best design solution to satisfy every aspect of the project. I believe that there is a solution for everything, and when a client brings me a lot to work with, it’s like opening a bag of presents. The more challenges there are to solve, the more creative I get to be.

My design process:
I design my clients’ dream kitchens using the model they choose and give them a computer-rendered image so they can easily visualize their new kitchen. I make changes until they are completely satisfied. Together with each client, we go over the storage needs, workspace requirements, appliance options and lifestyle to formulate a design that is unique. 

My design philosophy:
I believe in creating a design that follows the current design trend. Design is constantly evolving, and I never look back or repeat what’s already been done. When you see a car, you can tell the model year of that car at a glance. I want my kitchen designs to reflect the trend of that particular time, just like a car can.

Glenda Anderson

DETAILS INTERNATIONAL

Gentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 104
521-7424
details-international.com
glendaaloha@yahoo.com

Photo: David Croxford

Glenda Anderson comes from a creative family. “My mom was an artist and my dad a builder,” she says. Fifty years ago, she helped redesign her father’s houses, and Anderson is still designing homes that homeowners love.

Photo: Courtesy of Details International

My specialty:
Environmental and holistic design, or “design for the rest of your life.” I like a home to be harmonious and have a flow. I consider everything—the right colors and work and traffic patterns that allow other people to be around you but not get in your way.

My favorite part of working with clients:
I love getting into my clients’ heads and figuring out what is right for their lifestyles and personalities. I don’t design for me. I like to open clients’ eyes to potential savings by introducing ways to save on water and electricity.

My most memorable project:
We designed two kitchens and a few bathrooms for the royal family of Malaysia, where I incorporated Malaysian feng shui into the design. The project had to be unique and functional, but obviously still be big on the “wow factor.”

My design philosophy:
I enjoy creating a space that feels good, that’s functional and that makes sense. Your home should be a warm and welcoming gathering spot that will endure the challenges of time and use.

My dream client:
Tina Fey. She is brilliant and I believe she would be willing to go with bright ideas and appreciate true creativity and have fun in the process.

Alicia Kaneshiro, Allied Member ASID

Shown above with kitchen and bath specialist Sean Bradshaw

Homeworks Construction

2111 S. Beretania St.
955-2777
homeworkshawaii.com
alicia@homeworkshawaii.com
License #: BC-20040

Photo: David Croxford

Fresh to the design scene, Alicia Kaneshiro decided to become a designer when she realized the impact a home has on a person’s life. She enjoys designing with clean lines, simple finishes and good flow. She draws inspiration from her surroundings: “watching the sunset, walking down the street, reading design magazines, even sitting in traffic and watching the birds outside my car window,” she says. “If you’re looking for inspiration, you’ll find it.”

My specialty:
Making sure clients get what they need along with what they want. A client who has two dogs won’t be happy with a really thick carpet, no matter how much they’re in love with the pattern. We find ways to make clients happy with all the aspects of their design decisions.

My favorite design feature:
Flooring is great. There are so many types of flooring available and the design possibilities seem endless.

My dream client:
My parents. They’ve worked very hard to support my sisters and me, and they’re more than deserving of a home makeover! I’d replace all the carpet with hardwood because of my dad’s allergies, and the kitchen would be made more open to the dining room—that way my mom could make cinnamon rolls and talk to guests at the same time.

Shelley Tanner, CKD

JohnCookKitchens

Gentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 215B
599-3533
johncookitchens.com
shelley@johncookkitchens.com

Photo: David Croxford

Shelley Tanner’s first job, at a kitchen and bath firm, sparked her exciting career. During that time, she selected many of the materials needed to build her own 1,000-square-foot home, which was connected to her grandparents’ main home. Then, she hired an architect friend to draw out her design and a contractor to build it.

Seventeen years and two degrees later (in commercial art and interior design), Tanner is still designing kitchens—and still loving it. “I’ve been a CKD for 13 years and have worked in the kitchen and bath industry for 17 years. I’m really blessed to have been given the creative talent to design spaces that affect peoples’ lives,” she says.

My favorite design feature:
I love kitchens with an island, especially one with a unique shape.

My favorite part of working with clients:
The end result, when the journey is completed and the owners are able to relax and enjoy the final product. Remodeling or building is a huge investment and can be a very intense process. I try to do whatever I can to make the process a smooth one, following our motto at JohnCookKitchens of going “beyond your expectations.”

My design wish list:
I’d like to design a decked-out spa—a Zen-like bathroom retreat.

My dream client:
I’m excited about designing for clients wanting to create a great kitchen that fits their lifestyle and makes them happy.

What inspires me:
Receiving compliments from my clients and industry peers. It’s rewarding and fulfilling to know that what I’m doing is an accomplishment in my life.

Edmund I. Sugawa
EMEE KITCHENS

Harbor Center
98-029 Hekaha St., Suite 1
484-5354
emeekitchens.com
eisugawadesigns@gmail.com

Photo: David Croxford

Ed Sugawa has been drawing and drafting since his days as a civil engineering student at UH Manoa. But for the past 20 years, he has dedicated his design talents to two of his favorite things: problem solving and creating new projects as a kitchen and bath designer/builder. Sugawa’s philosophy is simple—give clients the spaces of their dreams.

My specialty:
Working with clients to make their kitchen dreams come true. I am more of a facilitator in that I use my experience and ideas to support the clients' visions of their kitchens.

My favorite design feature:
Anything that will make the kitchen more “cook-friendly.”  We use a lot of accessories, such as Rev-A-Shelf, to make the kitchen more usable. Items like pull-out spice racks, pull-down or -out organizers and roll-out shelves make the kitchen more organized.

My most rewarding project:
It is currently ongoing; we are installing a new kitchen for a wonderful program that works with at-risk teenagers, called Youth Outreach.

My design wish list:
A new house for my family; a cool vacation home on Kauai; and the chance to do a historical renovation of one of the “gingerbread” houses in Waikiki.

Carolyn Pace
CAROLYN PACE DESIGN LLC
Shown with Gioi Tran (left) and Vernon Applegate (right)
Gentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 201 C-2
545-5463
carolynpacedesign.com
applegatetran.com
carolyn@carolynpacedesign.com

Photo: David Croxford

Eight years ago, award-winning Hawaii designer Carolyn Pace met with another award-winning team, Applegate Tran Interiors of San Francisco. Over time, their professional relationship has blossomed into a friendship and now a business partnership. Together these designers pool their talents to bring clients resources from around the world.

My specialty:
We pride ourselves on understanding the vision of the client and environment around them. We like to fuse island-traditional style and city lifestyle with simplicity, elegance and also a spark of surprise. We orchestrate all elements of residential interior design, kitchen and bath design, from color consultation through architectural planning and project coordination.

My favorite design feature:
We design from the inside out, but also bring the outside in. Our clients’ homes are part of a greater community, and we want them to reflect the warmth and beauty of the community. The walk to the front door and through it is an important step and we want it to be captivating and inviting.

What’s in store for the future:
In 2008, Applegate Tran introduced the Applegate Tran collection of contemporary furniture represented in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago and soon to be available in Hawaii.

Randall Omoto and Jessica Omoto

Homeowners Design Center

1030 Kohou St., Suite 201
847-0216
homeownersdesign.com
randallo@homeownersdesign.com
License #: C-6122

Photo: Ryan Siphers

Husband-and-wife team Randall and Jessica Omoto have mastered the art of working together. Randall began his foray into design by working in restaurant operations. “We were always looking at ways to improve kitchen efficiencies and flow,” he says. As for Jessica, custom-built cabinetry has always been a part of life. “I have always been around woodworking, it’s my father’s hobby,” she says, describing her career decision as a “natural” choice.

What inspires me:
RO: I like helping people. If I can give people enough information to help them make informed decisions, that’s my goal. I want to be an expert adviser on design and finished materials to give my clients maximum value.  JO: The end result—the rewarding feeling that comes from helping someone achieve his or her dream kitchen or bath.

My favorite design feature:
RO: Kitchen seating and islands.
JO: Making a kitchen feel more inviting. After all, we tend to congregate there.

My favorite part of working with clients:
RO: The transformation. Sometimes it can be very dramatic. We can actually help them build their kitchen with a computer design program so they can see, ahead of time, what the final kitchen will look like—in color, if needed. JO: I love to see the before and after and to see how happy our client is when we’re finished. I get excited when they get excited about the project.

My design philosophy:
RO: I like making sure we have something that is aesthetically pleasing but also functions better. We take a common-sense approach to design, but we like to give people a lot of options. We’ll give clients all of the pros and cons so they can make informed decisions.

Deborah Bossley Lowry, M.S., ASID, IDEC

DBL Interior Design

262-6152 or 440-4216
DBLDesigns4hawaii@yahoo.com
Interior Design Professional

Photo: Ryan Siphers

As a young girl, Deborah Bossley was constantly rearranging her room and saving up her allowance to buy furniture. Today, she helps her clients create their dream homes through renovation and remodeling. "My goal is always to work with what is existing and improve it by either updating with color or finding the perfect new furnishings or fixtures to create a new space.”

My favorite design feature:
Furniture. Finding just-the-right piece with just-the-right finish and fabrics is very exciting to me. Many clients want to rush into filling the new space with whatever they can find. My favorite part about working with clients is showing them how many choices they have.

What inspires me: 
Creative people inspire me. That is why I love teaching at Chaminade. When you are around people who just want to make the world a more beautiful place, you cannot help but be inspired.

Steve Pak

American Cabinetry

619 Mapunapuna St.
838-7770
americancabinetry.com
designstudio@americancabinetry.com
License #: C-29647

Photo: Ryan Siphers

Designing his mother’s kitchen is the most challenging thing Steve Pak has ever done. “You want the best for your mother, and designing something for someone you love dearly brings additional challenges to your heart,” he says.

Pak's design specialty is space planning with sensible and functional ideas. He got his start in design working full-time for American Cabinetry 18 years ago. He started as a junior designer under his father, Wayne Bouille, CKD, and has been with the company ever since.

My favorite part of working with clients:
Many clients decide to remodel or build a new home in order to improve their lives. Working together to come up with the ultimate plan to design their dream kitchen or interior is the absolute best.

My dream client:
I would have loved to have been able to design for my grandparents. I felt so much love for my grandfather when I was a child. Designing their interior would have made them proud and shown my appreciation for them.

Jamie Smith Jackson

Pacific Home

Pacific Home
2 locations on Oahu
420 Ward Ave.
596-9338
pacific-home.com
jamie@pacific-home.com

Photo: Ryan Siphers

From an actress to an art teacher and even a clothing company owner, Jamie Smith Jackson has kept a career in the arts throughout her whole life. “I’ve been aware of design since I was a very young girl,” she says. Her experience, combined with a knack for all things visual, makes her a natural when it comes to designing home interiors.

My favorite design feature:
There’s not one thing I would want to stamp on every design. I like to make functionality a part of a design. I like to make spaces gorgeous, yet user-friendly. A room should be scrumptious to be in, without having to be careful once you’re inside.

My design philosophy:
Homes reflect us, but they also give us places to heal from the day’s stress. I want to help people create spaces that provide a sense of peace and refuge and make them feel happy.

Greg Molica

Hawaii Woodcrafts

3219 Koapaka St.
833-7559
hawaiiwoodcrafts.com
gmolica@hawaiiwoodcrafts.com
License #: BC-20822

Photo: David Croxford

Greg Molica started his career 30 years ago as a furniture maker, building consignment pieces in Honolulu. After working as a journeyman cabinetmaker and finish carpenter, Molica and his wife, Renee, (also pictured above) started Hawaii Woodcrafts as a cabinet shop and have since expanded it to include a showroom, offering design and general contracting services.

My specialty:
Kitchen and bath designs. I still find a lot of satisfaction in collaborating with my clients to interpret their ideas into a project that exceeds their expectations.

My design philosophy:
I enjoy incorporating Asian and island influences with contemporary cabinetry. This is done through a variety of ways, including selection of materials, cabinet styles or accent furniture-style buffets.

One of my favorite trends:
Cabinetry is now more like furniture, with customized storage and innovative hardware. But the most important trend right now is offering top-quality kitchen and bath cabinetry at affordable prices, which we do by offering free design services, keeping tight margins, fabricating in-house and being a one-stop service from design to installation.

My most challenging project:
I was asked to move the kitchen from a dark corner of a house into another area and redesign the living space to better accomodate my client’s needs. This involved making structural changes to the house, enclosing a lanai area and moving a bathroom. The final result was a light, airy and functional kitchen that was the centerpiece of the entertainment, living and dining spaces.

My design philosophy:
To really listen to my clients and discuss as many details and options before the design process starts. This takes the design to where the clients want to go and ultimately gives them a kitchen or bath area they are looking for.

Alex Butchart, CKD

Highline Kitchen Systems

1276 Young St.
589-1104
highlinekitchen@hawaiiantel.net
License #: BC-10299

Photo: Ryan Siphers

Raised in Hawaii, Alex Butchart knows a thing or two about island-style living. For him, it’s all about designing a casual space with modern touches. And he should know; he’s been designing kitchens for 25 years. Butchart’s kitchen-design experience builds on 10 years of general contracting work and lots of time spent in the kitchen-cabinet business. “I love the creative side and the specifics of kitchen design,” he says.

 
My most memorable project:
A condominium project on Diamond Head. We modified two units into one and provided the owners with a wonderful, relaxing space overlooking the ocean.

My favorite part of working with clients:
I love to share in the happiness that comes with a new kitchen.

My most challenging task:
Trying to fit all of the necessary appliances into a small area while retaining cabinet and storage space.

Judy Dawson, CKD

DESiGNER KITCHENS & BATHS

1573 Kaminaka Drive
545-7400
judydawson.com
judy@judydawson.com

Photo: David Croxford

Judy Dawson knows that, when it comes to design, it’s possible to have both form and function. “I believe that all spaces should not only be functional and serve a purpose, but that they should be beautiful to look at and live in, too,” she says. With more than 20 years in the business, Dawson mastered the art of combining her clients’ tastes with her unique artistry to create the ultimate in kitchen and bath design.

My specialty:
My artistic vision. As a designer, I combine the client’s ideas with my artistic flair to create a cohesive and imaginative design.

My favorite design feature:
Spacious countertops with my signature artistic backsplash. I also love flowing spaces, creative lighting and simplicity in design.

My process:
I start with the initial meeting to get a sense of my client’s style, as well as budget. I work closely with them to create a design they love. Selection of equipment, material, colors and finishes are such an integral part of the design.

Terry Pierson
Pacific Source Inc., The Big Island
73-4240 Hulikoa Drive,
 Kailua-Kona
(808) 331-2574
terry@pacsource.com

Photo: Kirk Lee Aeder

Terry Pierson went from making cabinets to designing them. After working part-time manufacturing cabinets for 11 years, Pierson moved to Hilo in 1988, set up his own shop and learned to design and sell. Twelve years later, Pacific Source Inc. has given him the opportunity to set up a showroom to do what he does best.

My specialty:
My manufacturing skills help me to communicate well with all people involved in the design process, from the interior designer and owners to the suppliers.

My favorite part of working with clients:
Taking the visions that the owners and interior designers have and making them all come together.

My philosophy:
Help the client achieve what they want. I present options to clients and let them decide what works best for their home.

Gina Dunker, Allied ASID, Marles Jenkins and

Jennifer Mondello-Phillips, AKBD, RP

Pacific Source Inc., Maui

515 E. Uahi Way, Wailuku
(808) 986-0380
pacsource.com
jenn_p@pacsource.com

Photo: Ryan Siphers

With years of design experience among them, Gina Dunker, Marles Jenkins and Jennifer Mondello-Phillips (shown from left to right) are up for a challenge. “It’s like making pieces of a puzzle fit together,” Phillips says.

My specialty:
MJ: Because I know the ins and outs of construction, I can find a way to make things work and avoid mistakes.

My favorite part of working with clients:
GD: Everyone is different and has different requests. What worked perfectly fine during the last project cannot automatically be applied in the next one.

My most memorable project:
JP: Working on my own home from the ground up—it really brought out all the challenges that people face with new construction.

Michael L. Smith,  CMKBD, Allied ASID

KITCHEN CONCEPTS PLUS

Consulting and Design Services Available
524-6656

Photo: David Croxford

Michael Smith has been designing stellar projects in Hawaii since 1970. With a career in the industry that spans nearly 50 years, this veteran designer has worked on homes all over the globe. No matter where he is, however, Smith takes care of his clients, listening to their needs and delivering a final product that far exceeds expectations.

My favorite design feature:
I try to look at my projects in unique ways. I like using uncommon angles and curves for cabinetry, as well as flooring and walls.

My most memorable project:
In 2007, I won an award for one of my kitchen designs in a Sub-Zero/Wolf design contest. I was really proud to be chosen from more than 1,000 entrants around the world.

What inspires me:  
Living in Hawaii inspires me the most, but I’m also very inspired by my clients.

Janet A. Beck, CMKBD  and Ken Beck

Pacific Source Inc., Kauai

4473 Pahee St., Lihue
(808) 246-3500
pacsource.com
janet_b@pacsource.com
ken_b@pacsource.com

Photo: Janie Coltrin

Husband-and-wife team Ken and Janet Beck’s combined experience in design and construction uniquely blends styles from the western United States, Australia and Hawaii. Last summer, the couple helped launch Pacific Source Inc.’s Kauai showroom, which offers building materials and design services for every part of the home.

My specialty:
KB: Reconfiguring existing floor plans and remodeling for maximum efficiency.
JB: Custom designing a space for specific needs, particularly aging in place.

My favorite part of working with clients:  
JB: I really like bonding with our clients and their families. KB: Gaining their trust and commitment and enabling clients to enjoy the process.

My design philosophy:
JB: My goal is to integrate excellent design, without compromising safety. KB: Really it’s all about making it work for the client and work out for the contractor as well.